They have worn different uniforms, but all have honored the call to serve their country in the military.

They have different stories of service and experiences domestically and abroad.

They also have different triggers and vices, different ways to cope with problems after they returned home.

Many had never been in trouble before their service.

They are all participants of Veterans Treatment Court, a branch of Lackawanna County’s Treatment Court, which allows qualifying offenders to participate in a supervised rehabilitative program that addresses the problems at the root of their crimes, including mental health issues and drug and alcohol addiction. Veterans Treatment Court takes another step, focusing on the men and women of the military, recognizing that vets — particularly those returning from combat — have a unique set of concerns.

A United States Department of Justice report in 2007 indicated that 9.4 percent of all inmates in state and federal prisons were veterans. Of those, 33 percent were first-time offenders.

The 18-month-long supervised program in Lackawanna County requires participants to seek treatment and counseling, work with mentors and report to court on a regular basis, all in the hopes that these vets will never be in trouble again.

The Veterans

The court, overseen by Judge Michael Barrasse, began in 2009 — the first in the state. Since then, 67 veterans, including Joe Giordano, have participated in the program.

A private first class in the United States Army, he served from 2005 to 2008 with the 10th Mountain Division based in Fort Drum, New York.

Mr. Giordano said his behavior escalated in 2012 when he kicked in his girlfriend’s front door. The door was locked and in his drunken state, it made sense to use force.

“It was apparently clear to everyone else but me what the real problem was,” he said. “This wasn’t normal.”

Police brought him in for the door incident. Within a few weeks, police were responding again. This time, an argument with his girlfriend became physical.

“That is not me. That is not how I was raised,” Mr. Giordano said. “That is not how I was taught.”

For him, the path to recovery started then. He admitted himself to the Veterans Affairs hospital and started working on his sobriety, as well as treating at the mental health clinic.

He was admitted to Veterans Treatment Court in July 2013, understanding that the alternative was a possibility of several years in prison for simple assault, disorderly conduct and related charges.

“It was utterly relieving at first, but at the same time it was kind of daunting,” Mr. Giordano said. “I was relieved at the opportunity of treatment court. I was thankful for it. At the same point in time, I knew it was going to be no easy task.”

And he has had setbacks, explaining that there were some bumps in the road during his first phase.

Participants work through four phases of varying requirements and levels of supervision throughout the program. Some of the requirements for participants in phase one are a 10 p.m. curfew, reporting to court weekly, remaining drug- and alcohol-free, meeting with probation officers and attending the required 12-step programs.

“There was a lot I had to change about myself and accept about myself,” Mr. Giordano said.

Bernard Topa had a similar story.

The 26-year-old Marine from Scranton had a wine-fueled clash with his ex-girlfriend after he returned from Iraq. He said she didn’t want him to spend time with their son.

“She tried saying that my military made me go crazy,” he said. “I admit I had some problems coping with stuff.”

Police arrived and the situation escalated. Mr. Topa said he felt threatened and choked an officer. While he was in jail, his ex filed a protection from abuse order, which extended to their 2-year-old son, Logan Topa.

“It broke me down to the point where I couldn’t handle living without my son in my life,” he said. “I’m not a deadbeat father.”

He broke down and sought treatment at the VA Hospital. Things were improving until he erred, reaching out to his ex to arrange a visit with his son, a PFA violation. Then he was sent to vet court.

“A lot of the times when you come back from going overseas, they don’t really tell you how to turn it off,” he said. “This is the first time I ever did anything wrong in my life.”

The Mentors

When participants arrive in Veterans Treatment Court, the first instruction they are given is a ban on drugs and alcohol. The second is to call a mentor.

Sam Kuchwara is the coordinator for mentors and caseworker for vets court. There are seven mentors, all veterans, and Mr. Kuchwara said they are always looking for more volunteers.

“The mentors have gone through almost the same things the vets have gone through,” he said.

Many mentors have also participated in 12-step programs, offering another layer of understanding to the vets with whom they work. That commonality provides a foundation for the vets and mentors to work together.

“That statement is in war and that statement is out here,” Mr. Kuchwara said. “We do not leave a veteran behind.”

Mr. Kuchwara served in the Marine Corps from 1971 to 1973, attaining the rank of corporal He said he empathized with how returning veterans feel.

“When I came home, I thought I was different than everybody,” he said.

Mr. Giordano said the mentors have made a huge difference in his life.

“As a whole, we also tend to have problems that we won’t talk to other people unless they’re veterans and we can identify with them,” he said. “I think that’s a huge thing.”

“Not only does it span the different branches, but it spans the generations,” he added.

It means a lot to the mentors, too, Mr. Kuchwara explained.

“This graduate is finished with vet court and still calls me to this day,” he said of one participant. “There is no better feeling to know and see improvement.”

Relapse and Recidivism

Since 2009, about 30 veterans have graduated from the program. There are 27 working through different phases of the program presently.

Of the 67 participants since 2009, five have been terminated because of either relapse or new offense. One veteran has reoffended after graduation.

“It’s not a silver bullet,” Judge Barrasse said.

Relapse is part of recovery and there are times when a participant is moved back a phase to keep working on goals.

“We just restart the clock,” Judge Barrasse said. “You really have to work with each person individually.”

There are also sanctions for missed appointments or other offenses. A participant could spend a weekend in jail or more, depending on the misstep.

“He uses those judiciously,” said Wy Gowell, another volunteer and retired Air Force Colonel. “The judge, in my mind, becomes a commanding officer.”

And when treatment court works, the county saves money, Judge Barrasse explained.

“If a person isn’t coming back, we have a huge cost savings,” he said, contrasting with repeat offenders.

Even during court, the cost to the county is minimal, because most veterans’ services are funded and offered through the VA hospital.

“What we do is basically offer any type of services that the veteran may need while in the court,” she said. “That’s not only the medical and mental health piece, but housing, employment and family services.”

The exception is if veterans have a dishonorable discharge and don’t qualify for VA services. She added that diverting vets to their own court allowed others to take advantage of other branches of treatment court.

The Impact

Veterans are often coping with post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, among other things.

“Their jobs aren’t the same,” Judge Barrasse said. “If they’ve served us over there, we have to treat them.”

Before the vets file into his courtroom on the third floor every Thursday, he works with dozens of staff members, including adult probation, case managers and counselors.

“We go over every single name and what happened with them this week,” the judge said.

They discuss attitudes, housing, life events, children, goals and appointments.

“They almost look at this as being their family,” Judge Barrasse said of the staff and participants. “It makes you feel like there’s a purpose in what you’re doing.”

Since becoming the court liaison, Ms. Sapolis-Lacey said she has seen incredible progress. She said she often stays touch with participants for three to six months or more after court. About 75 percent of participants continue services with the VA after completing the program.

“There have been many different success stories that, had the vet court not been there, I really can’t say whether that would have been the case,” she said.

While probation is still a reality for some participants after court, completing the program successfully can mean expunged charges. More importantly, it can mean a new lease on life.

Mr. Topa looks forward to celebrating Logan’s third birthday next month. He has also started working as a cook in an area restaurant.

“Other people start noticing that you’re doing better,” he said. “They start seeing that you’re healthier and you’re more talkative and you’re doing activities that are normal instead of going and getting drunk.”

“It’s starting to pay off,” he added. “Not just because I’m getting through this, but in my life.”

Mr. Giordano and his girlfriend are now engaged, and the 32-year-old Dunmore man said that alone is a testament to the progress he has made.

“She knew I just wasn’t right in the head. I needed help,” he said. “You’re going to be the last person to admit you need help, but you have to be the first person to seek it.”

While he wouldn’t do it over again, he said ultimately, he was glad that treatment become part of his life.

“It’s been a lifestyle change and life-changing,” he said.

Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

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